Voluntary Voting System Guidelines

The Voluntary Voting System Guidelines (VVSG) are guidelines adopted by the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) for the certification of voting systems. The National Institute of Standards and Technology's Technical Guidelines Development Committee drafted the VVSG and gave them to the EAC in draft form for their adoption. "On December 13, 2005, the EAC unanimously adopted the 2005 Voluntary Voting System Guidelines (VVSG), which significantly increase security requirements for voting systems and expand access, including opportunities to vote privately and independently, for individuals with disabilities."[1]

"These guidelines are voluntary. States may decide to adopt them entirely or in part prior to the effective date. Currently, at least 39 states use the national guidelines in their voting system certification process.[2]

In September 2005, the Technical Guidelines Development Committee (TGDC) began public deliberations on a second set of recommendations for Voluntary Voting System Guidelines. This document[3] was the result of their leadership, technical direction, and collaborative efforts with researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)."